the
Major had made a comfortable seat. Clodwig and Roland were together,
and Bella and Eric were sitting at a little distance from them. She was
inclined to be romantic. She had brought from Paris all the new
fashions, but now she said to Eric, How foolishly we burden ourselves
with superfluities! Then, without any apparent cause, she remarked,
that everybody thought she was fond of display and fashion; but she
would like best to live in a little fisherman's hut, on the Rhine, in
one quiet room, with a bright fire.

"And who would make this fire?" Eric inquired.

Bella started at this question. "We must not be romantic," said she.
Then I there was a long pause.

At last Eric began. "You have learned to know my mother; if you had
known my father, you would have found great pleasure in him too."

"I did know him, but I thank you; I understand that you would have me
share all that is yours." There was a heartfelt expression in her
voice, and her eyes beamed, and she fixed them upon Eric with such a
look, that he turned his own away. Biting her lip, she continued: "You
have seen,--yes, you have certainly noticed how I look at you. Now I
must fulfil one of Clodwig's wishes, because I think that perhaps I may
succeed. He wants me to take your likeness, and I will try; but I must
have your young friend with you. Roland, come here," she called, as she
saw the boy approaching; and then she explained, with blushes
overspreading her face, that she had wished to surprise Clodwig with
the portrait on his birthday, but that that was impossible now, and she
must do it openly.

"Please, Roland, sit down on the Captain's knee. So,--yes, just
so,--put your right hand on his shoulder, but farther forward. Yes; now
put your head a little more to the left. Pray say something, Captain.
You must be telling Roland something."

"I've nothing to say," replied Eric, smiling.

"That will do; I see the motion of your lips; it will be difficult, but
I hope to catch it. When will you sit to me?"

Clodwig was delighted, and said he never liked surprises; a
well-prepared and long-expected pleasure was much more desirable. He
urged Eric and Roland to be his guests at Wolfsgarten, until the family
should come back. But Eric declined with equal friendliness and
firmness; he did not like to disarrange the daily routine which he had
laid out for Roland; and Clodwig approved of his resolution, and
promised to come again soon to the villa with Bella